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We were walking off the field after Kansas State concluded its football media day one fall, and I wondered about the Big Eight Room in the Vanier Complex. Usually, that’s where Snyder conducts his weekly media sessions.

Not that day, however. So I had to ask whether the room, with ornate carvings depicting logos of all the Big Eight members, was being removed or remodeled.

“Oh no,” he said. “As long as I’m here we’ll have the Big Eight Room.”

Now, however, it's in jeopardy. And that’s a good thing.

Plans and drawings were released Saturday detailing a complete makeover of K-State’s football complex. It will be gutted — Big Eight Room and all — to provide facilities more suitable for competing in the big time, beginning with the Big 12.

The project, priced at $65 million, is ambitious, aggressive and appealing. Necessary, too.

The arms race in college athletics requires teams — particularly in football — to compete between white lines, while hoping to keep budgets from curdling in red ink. K-State athletic director John Currie is confident this overhaul can be managed after the namesake of the complex — the Vanier family — provided $20 million in seed money.

Five months ago no funds had been raised for the do-over on the north side. Now, roughly $38 million has been donated, a nice chunk of the $50 million K-State wants to raise with private funds. The final $15 million will come from athletic department revenues.

From the outside, the new complex will match the limestone look of the new west-side stadium addition. From inside the stadium, new video boards in the northeast and northwest corners, as well as the four-story structure, will give Snyder Family Stadium another new look.

A big-time look.

Actually, the mini-tron on the north end — an embarrassingly small video board that would be a disappointing addition to any man cave — prompted K-State to begin plans for a new complex earlier than expected. Originally, a new football facility was the last phase in a six-step master plan for athletic improvements.

“We did a significant study in 2012 where we needed to replace the mini-tron,” said Currie, “but to replace the mini-tron, we need a massive structure. Well, if we’re going to sink $10 million into a massive structure, is this the building that’s going to be here forever?”

Not anymore. After eight significant additions and makeovers to the original (1968) building, a new Vanier Complex will be built from scratch. Groundbreaking will occur on the day of the final home game, Nov. 29 against Kansas, and the structure will be gutted soon after.

Postseason preparations, something the Wildcats better not take for granted after the Purple (first string) claimed a lackluster 23-13 victory over the White in Saturday’s spring game, will be handled in various places. Same for offseason activities as construction progresses toward the 2015 season.

“I think it’s a huge step forward,” Currie said. “The way we’ve been able to develop the complex over the last several years, we’re starting to look like what coach Snyder built the program into. We’re getting there.”

The Wildcats should be favored to be among the Big 12 contenders in the fall. Being pragmatic and staying humble enabled K-State to enjoy the success it has achieved in football.

Great pride was taken in keeping the fixer-upper that houses the program clean and efficient. Why, Snyder even takes off his shoes when he walks in off the field. In part, because he doesn’t want to soil the carpet, something that wasn’t provided when he first took over at K-State in 1989.

“This (meeting) room right here used to be fold-up chairs and a concrete floor,” Snyder said, while addressing the media following the spring game.

Over time, dividers were placed in that same room. Open it up and the whole team could be addressed. Divide it out and it could be split into meeting rooms.

Numerous other changes were added, but the new complex will better serve K-State’s athletes, beginning with much-needed space in the academic center and weight room, two pressing needs.

Other amenities will be state-of-the-art. Why, families of assistant coaches will even have patios to view games outside the coaches’ offices on the top level.

“This important project is the next step in maintaining the level of excellence that coach Snyder and our football program have built and achieved over the years,” said benefactor Jack Vanier.

K-State also must maintain the same principles Snyder established … even when an extra barbell was unavailable or a coach’s office got cramped. Even when the roof leaked, or that once-fancy carpet grew threadbare.

“The efficiency part of it will be carried over into the new facility,” Snyder said, “and then there will be a lot of glitz and glamour so it will look the part.”

Somewhere, a lounge will be probably part of the new digs, which will more than double the size of the current complex.

Maybe the lounge can incorporate a little history dating to the stadium’s construction. Maybe it can recognize Kansas State’s oldest rivals.

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KU is spending 18 million on a building to store a few sheets of paper. Also, NCAA rules are quite specific on providing special housing for athletes which KU is trying to fudge with the new dorm. You can thank some schools like OU for the housing rules.